Quick removing pre-tied neck-clamping neck-tie

ABSTRACT

A pre-tied necktie or bow tie that appears to be manually tied and fully encircling the neck but that is in reality comprised of a unique clamping device that clamps around the front of the neck beneath the collar enabling it to be quickly and easily put on or removed from the neck without pulling it over the head and without connecting or unconnecting the ends.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present field of the invention relates to neck and bow ties that look like they are manually tied, but in truth, are simply clamped about the neck and can be removed quickly and easily without having to untie the tie, or undo or unclip any mechanical device.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Neck or bow ties are a common fashion accessory and are often required apparel for many types of businesses or social engagements. There are two concerns that are addressed by the invention presented. 1—Properly tying a neck or bow tie can be a frustrating and time consuming process. 2—A traditional neck tie can pose a danger for the wearer within certain types of businesses. For those who work in correctional facilities, law enforcement, or even transportation industries such as airlines, a neck tie can quickly become a dangerous liability in a hostile environment. A necktie becomes a tool of control or even death by an aggressor who chooses to use it as such. In addition, some businesses require individuals to wear neck ties while running equipment that could catch and pull the tie into machinery while being operated thereby causing injury and even death.

Existing pre-tied ties such as “zipper” ties, “break away” ties that clasp in the back with velcro, or “clip on” ties are encumbered with their own disadvantages. Some don't look like they are actually tied about the neck. Some are cumbersome to put on and take off. Some don't adequately address the safety issues raised.

The primary intention of this invention is to make the putting on and taking off a neck or bow tie more simple and safe than any other product or potential product available.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

(See FIGS. 1-7) An easily removable pre-tied necktie which either consists of an elongated piece of fabric that has been either tied or formed to look like a tied necktie knot (2), or a piece of fabric that has been tied or formed to look like it has been tied in the form of a bow tie (4). From either style (neck or bow tie) of the knot formation (6)—two ends of material extend out of the knot, and once fully open, horizontally form a U shape, or nearly complete circle (8). These ends may or may not touch each other at the back of the neck.

Within, or attached to, the knot and the two horizontal ends that extend horizontally out of the said knot is a unique clamping device (10) which causes it to form around the shape of the neck and remain there until pulled off.

In addition, there is the option of the various designs of neck or bow ties being attachable and removable from the unique clamping device. (FIG. 7)

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a pre-tied neck or bow tie that appears to be tied about the neck but that can easily and quickly be put on or taken off simply by pushing the tie on or pulling it off.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a unique clamping device that makes it possible to put the tie on without tying, clasping, zipping, or hooking any mechanism that would encircle the neck.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a unique clamping device that automatically and comfortably conforms itself to whatever size of neck it is on.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a unique clamping device that makes it possible to take the tie off without untying, unclasping, unzipping, or unhooking any mechanism.

It is a still further object of the present invention to make it possible to put on the tie or take it off without pulling it over the wearer's head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1: Unique clamping device similar to sunglasses.

FIG. 2: Unique clamping device similar to necklaces with memory wire.

FIG. 3: Unique clamping device similar to a “slap bracelet” or measuring tape.

FIG. 4: Unique clamping device similar to a spring, either round, flat, or of another shape.

FIG. 5: Unique clamping device with multiple hinges.

FIG. 6: Unique clamping device that is similar to a U-shaped hair band.

FIG. 7: Unique clamping device with detachable knot and tie.

(NOTE: Whether shown in the Figures or not, all variations of the clamping devices can work with both a neck tie, or a bow tie.)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(Comprising FIGS. 1-7) A pre-tied neck tie fabric (2) or bow tie fabric (4) in the usual customary form and design as viewed when tied and worn about the neck. The knot (6) consists of an elongated piece of fabric that has been either tied or formed to look like a a tied knot resembling the Four-in-one, Half-windsor, Full-windsor or bow tie style knots. For the necktie, a wide and narrow piece of fabric falls vertically from the knot and in front of the wearer's shirt (2). The bow tie consists of a horizontal fabric in the shape of a fabric bow (4). From either knot formation (6), two ends of material extend out of the knot horizontally forming a U shape (8). These ends may or may not touch each other at the back of the neck.

Within, or attached to the two horizontal ends (8) of fabric that extend horizontally out of the said knot (6) is a unique clamping device (10) which causes these two pieces of material, or neck band or loop as it were, to form around the shape of the neck and remain there until pulled off. This unique clamping device (10) runs through or behind the knot (6) and through or behind the U-shaped loop of the tie that encircles or nearly encircles the neck (8). These ends may or may not overlap each other behind the neck of the wearer, but also do not connect to each other with any device. The material for this unique clamping device (10) may be metal, plastic, a composite, or some other substance deemed fit. In all cases, it is reflexive, has memory, is spring like, and or is mechanical.

On the right hand side in FIGS. 2-4, the unique clamping device is shown at rest (12), it may then shown opened to spread around the neck (14), and finally in its approximate position once around the neck (16).

In FIG. 1, an example of a hinged clamping device is shown. It is comprised of 2 hinges (20) with its main pieces (18) folding and unfolding like a pair of sunglasses.

FIG. 2 utilizes memory wire (26) sewn into a fabric (24).

In FIG. 3, a metal or plastic material is shown similar to that which is used in “slap bracelets” and or metal measuring tapes.

FIGS. 4 and 6 utilizes a reflexive, spring like material of either plastic or metal.

FIG. 5 is comprised of a series of slightly curved panels (18) that are hinged together (20) such that they want to curl inward and require force to spread outward. Or it could be as simple as having one hinge in the middle. There could be either, and/or an elastic band (22) within the inside of the hinged pieces (18) such that it would spring inward.

FIG. 7 shows a variation of the unique clamping device and neck or bow tie. Different designs of neck or bow ties (2 & 4) are attached or removed from the same unique clamping device (10) Represented in any of the previous unique clamping devices.

DRAWINGS PARTS LIST

Description of numbers as found in FIGS. 1-7:

-   2. Primary visible part of a neck tie excluding the knot -   4. Primary visible part of a bow tie tie excluding the knot -   6. Knot of neck or bow tie -   8. Horizontal end pieces of fabric that would normally encircle the     neck from a neck or bow tie knot. -   10. The unique clamping device in any of its proposed variations -   12. Clamping device closed, or at rest -   14. Clamping device spread open to go around the neck -   16. Clamping device as it would appear around the neck -   18. Hinges -   20. Panels -   22. Elastic band -   24. Memory wire -   26. Fabric covering -   28. Fabric with a nap 

1. A pre-tied neck or bow tie comprising: a neck or bow tie fabric in the usual customary form and design as viewed when tied and worn about the neck; a knot which is either tied in a traditional knot or created and formed to look thus; a unique clamping device that runs through or behind the pre-tied knot; wherein this same unique clamping device runs through or behind each piece of the two ends of the tie that encircle the neck; these ends may or may not overlap each other behind the neck of the wearer; these ends do not connect or attach to each other with any device; said clamping device is reflexive, has memory, or is designed to pull inward; said clamping device may have one or more hinges; said clamping device may have a fabric with nap on the inside that allows it to slide on easily but creates friction when being pulled off; once pulled apart or unfolded to fit around the wearer's neck, the ends pull towards each other, snugly and securely around the wearer's neck.
 2. A pre-tied neck or bow tie as set forth in claim 1 wherein an actual knot, or a knot that is made to look to resemble the Four-In-One, Half Windsor, Full-Windsor or Bow Tie style knot is created.
 3. A pre-tied neck or bow tie as set forth in claim 2 further comprising the usual wide and narrow pieces of fabric that lay vertically in front of a buttoned shirt, extending downward from the knot or the horizontal fabric in the shape of a bow knot in the case of a bow tie.
 4. A pre-tied neck or bow tie as set forth in claim 3 further comprising a band of narrow material that encircles the neck; whereas this loop is severed and terminates at the back of the neck; whereas the ends may overlap or there may be a gap between them.
 5. A pre-tied neck or bow tie as set forth in claim 4 further comprising a unique clamping device that either is contained within the two sides of the neck band or attached thereon as described in claim 4
 6. A pre-tied neck or bow tie as set forth in claim 5 further comprising this unique clamping device passing through or behind the knot described in claim
 2. 7. A pre-tied neck or bow tie as set forth in claim 6 having as a clamping mechanism to the neck a device that is reflexive, spring-like, or mechanical in nature, whether formed of plastic, spring-steel, memory wire, fabric, eyeglass hinges, or other material or a combination thereof, such that it springs inward and clamps around the neck.
 8. A pre-tied neck or bow tie as set forth in claim 7 that in addition to having a clamping device may also have attached to it a fabric with a nap, such that the said device slides on easily but slides off less easily due to the resistance of said fabric.
 9. A pre-tied neck or bow tie as set forth in claim 7 that in any case or form, regardless of which clamping device is utilized, has as its unique advantage that it can easily and quickly be slipped on or pulled off from the front of the wearer.
 10. A pre-tied neck or bow tie as set forth in claim 9 that can be easily and quickly removed with the collar up or down, buttoned or unbuttoned.
 11. A pre-tied neck or bow tie as set forth in claim 9 and 10 that requires no unclipping, unclasping, unzipping, or unhooking of any device or mechanism to remove the said tie from the wearer's neck.
 12. A pre-tied neck or bow tie as set forth in claim 9 that requires no clipping, zipping, or hooking of any device or mechanism to attach the said tie to the wearer's neck.
 13. A pre-tied neck or bow tie as set forth in claim 9 and 10 that doesn't require the said tie to be pulled over the wearer's head, either to put it on or take it off.
 14. A pre-tied neck or bow tie as set forth in claims 1-13 that can also be worn on certain animals, such as dogs or cats.
 15. A pre-tied neck or bow tie as set forth in claims 1-14 but not excluding the inventor from utilizing or creating any pattern, style, fabric, or type of tie with the unique clamping device as shown or preventing him from modifying said device to clamp around the neck to attach a tie in like fashion as herein described.
 16. A pre-tied neck or bow tie as set forth in claims 1-15 that may have as a feature the option of attaching and detaching the tie or a variety of designs of ties from the unique clamping device.
 17. Finally, the inventor of the unique clamping device as set forth in claim 7 and elsewhere shall retain the option of designing, creating, and marketing the said device as a sole and separate utility or instrument to be purchased and used with an existing necktie of the purchaser's. 